M
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
August 14, 1950
Died
February 24, 2026 (age 75)
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, USA
Also Known As
Maria O'Brian
Maria O'Brien
Biography
Maria O'Brien (August 14, 1950 – February 24, 2026) was an American actress and acting coach. She was the daughter of actors Edmond O'Brien and Olga San Juan, and sister of voice actor Brendan O'Brien. She was best known as a character actress, but she also had a recurring role on a few television series, such as Ave 43 and The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts. She was also an acting coach on soap operas, such as Days of Our Lives, Sunset Beach, and Passions.
Known For
TV
Murder, She Wrote
Lt. Abbe Esposito
1984
TV
Magnum, P.I.
Club Manager Applicant
1980
TV
The Love Boat
Rita Almerez
1977
TV
Matlock
Juanita Martinez
1986
TV
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Paranormal Investigator (segment "The Chess Game")
1997
TV
Suddenly Susan
Maria
1996
TV
CHiPs
Patti Poncherello
1977
TV
For the People
Judge
2002
Film
Smile
Maria
1975
Film
The Choirboys
Carrier 2's Wife
1977
Film
Howard
Maria (archive footage)
2018
Film
Shell Game
Lola Ramirez
1975
Film
Protocol
Donna
1984
Film
In Sickness and in Health
Nancy
1992
Film
PSI Factor
1980
Film
In a Stranger's Hand
Paula
1991
Film
The Incredible Shrinking Woman
Neighbor
1981
Film
In the Best Interest of the Child
Carla
1990
Film
Promised a Miracle
1988
Film
Good Luck
Peggy
1997
Filmography
2018FilmHowardas Maria (archive footage)2018FilmDead on Arrivalas Neighbor2002TVFor the Peopleas Judge1997TVBeyond Belief: Fact or Fictionas Paranormal Investigator (segment "The Chess Game")1997FilmGood Luckas Peggy1996TVSuddenly Susanas Maria1992FilmIn Sickness and in Healthas Nancy1991FilmIn a Stranger's Handas Paula1990FilmIn the Best Interest of the Childas Carla1989FilmYour Mother Wears Combat Bootsas Carla1988FilmPromised a Miracle1986TVMatlockas Juanita Martinez1984FilmProtocolas Donna1984TVMurder, She Wroteas Lt. Abbe Esposito1981FilmThe Incredible Shrinking Womanas Neighbor1980TVMagnum, P.I.as Club Manager Applicant1980FilmPSI Factor1977FilmThe Choirboysas Carrier 2's Wife1977TVThe Love Boatas Rita Almerez1977TVCHiPsas Patti Poncherello1975FilmSmileas Maria1975FilmShell Gameas Lola Ramirez